OBJECTIVE

To standardize the potassium permanganate solution and to determine the

percentage by weight of oxalate in the complex.

INTRODUCTION
In this experiment, you will use a standard solution of potassium
permanganate to analyze the oxalate content of the potassium
trisoxalatoferrate(III) trihydrate, K3[Fe(C2O4)3]3H2O, that you prepared in last
weeks procedure in order to determine its purity.
Potassium permanganate is a useful REDOX titrates because it is its own
indicator. The intense purple color of the permanganate ion changes to the
very pale pink (almost colorless) of manganese (II) ion as the permanganate
ion is reduced. The very intensely red color of the permanganate solution
makes the bottom of the meniscus in the burette very difficult to see and, in
this case only, the TOP of the meniscus may read from the burette.
Permanganate ion, MnO4- , can be reduced in a variety of ways depending on
the reaction conditions, especially pH. In neutral solution one of the main
products is hydrated manganese (IV) oxide. This at first gives the solution a
brown color and finally gives a brown precipitate. Under alkaline conditions
the permanganate ion is reduced to the green manganate ion, MnO42- . Under
acid conditions the permanganate ion is reduced further to the very pale
pink (almost colorless) manganese(II) ion. For this titration, reduction to the
manganese (II) Ion is required, so the titration must be done under acidic
conditions.
Permanganate ion oxidizes oxalate ion to carbon dioxide gas in the following
reaction.
2 MnO-4(aq) + 16 H+ + 5C2O42-

2Mn2+ (aq) + 10CO2(g) + 8 H2O(l)

In acid solution, potassium trisoxalatoferrate (III) provides Iron (III) and

oxalate ions. Iron (III) is not oxidized by permanganate ion so the oxalate can
be titrated directly.
However, oxalate ions react only slowly with permanganate ions at room
temperature so the solution must be warmed to about 60 C in order for the
reaction to be fast enough to be useful in a titration.

CHEMICALS
Dried Na2C2O4 , H2SO4 , KMnO4 , potassium trisoxalatoferrate (III) , and sulfuric
acid.

APPARATUS
Conical flasks, measuring cylinder , thermometer, and burette.

PROCEDURE
A. Standardization of potassium permanganate solution
1. Two 0.1 g samples g dried Na2C2O4 was weighted into conical flask.
2. 50 ml of 1 M H2SO4 was dissolved in each. Each solution was heated to
60C and titrated with the KMnO4 solution. Titrate until the first
persistent pink color. Repeated at least once.
B. Determination of the oxalate content of potassium
trisoxalatoferrate (III) trihydrate
1. 0.2 g of the potassium trisoxalatoferrate (III) complex prepared
previously in experiment 3 was weighted.
2. The sample was dissolved with 50 cm3 of 1 M sulfuric acid in a conical
flask. The solution heated to 60C and titrated slowly with the
potassium permanganate solution provided. The warm solution retains
a slight pink coloration continued after standing for about 30 sec.

RESULTS
A.
Weight of sodium
oxalate (g)
Burette reading
Final
Initial
Volume of KMnO4 (ml)

0.1029

0.1147

I
13.20
0.00
13.20

II
27.80
13.20
14.60

0.2137
I
22.5

0.2041
II
36.4
15.06

B.
Gram of sample (g)
Burette reading
Final
Initial
Volume of KMnO4 (ml)

DISCUSSION
1. Calculate the exact molarity of permanganate solution.
Titration reaction :
2MnO4- + 5C2O42- + 16H+
2-

Molarity of C2O4

50
: 100

2Mn2+ + 10CO2 + 8H2O

x 0.20 = 0.1M

0.1 X 2
Molarity of 2MnO4 :
5
-

Average of KMnO4 :

= 0.04 M

37.1+37.2
2

= 37.15 mL = 0.03715 L

2. Calculate the percentage by weight of oxalate in the complex, compare

this with the theoretical value and thus obtain the percentage purity of the
complex.

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES
1. http://www.mun.ca/chem/ch1051/C1051_expt02.pdf